Coach of the Year
Adam Cummings, West Plains
By Lee Passmore
In three years, the West Plains Wolves have made it a step further each time, so to say the least, coach Adam Cummings has things going according to plan. But maybe even Cummings is surprised it’s gone this far and this fast.
Based on the first two years of competing in varsity football, it made perfect sense that West Plains had high expectations coming into this season. In two years at Class 4A Division II, the Wolves won at least two playoff games in each of those seasons, but in 2024 were facing the challenge of moving up to 4A Division I after last February’s UIL realignment.
Halfway through the regular season, one could be forgiven for asking questions about the team’s readiness for the move up. In their final two games before starting District 2-4A Division I play, the Wolves lost to Bushland 28-13 and Denton Liberty Christian 56-7 and sat at 2-3 on the season.
Those were the last times West Plains would lose for a while. Led by quarterback Reid Macon, the Wolves caught fire offensively in 2-4A DI, averaging 43 points a game en route to an unbeaten district championship season. The closest anybody came to beating them was the district opener, when they defeated Canyon by 14 points.
That momentum only gathered steam in the playoffs. Each week the Wolves scored more than they had the previous week, culminating in a 63-35 win over Lampasas in the region round game, which indicated to Cummings that they were quite capable of topping themselves.
“I think it became a reality that it was possible after the Lampasas game,” said Cummings of getting close to a state championship. “Things kind of just started falling into place. Our offense had been playing pretty well and our defense was starting to get turnovers and make big stops in key situations. Our approach and what we did really didn’t change going back to the first of the year. The whole deal was one percent better every day.”
Those percentage points became more tangible by the time the upstart Wolves started keeping company with the Texas high school football bluebloods.
They crossed paths with always powerful Stephenville in the state quarterfinals, and thanks in part to a late goal line stand, escaped with a 42-35 win. In the next week’s state semifinal against the equally formidable Celina, West Plains took a one-point lead in the last three minutes, but unbeaten Celina showed its state championship form, scoring late to pull out a 43-36 victory on the way to a state championship.
Don’t count on the Wolves going away tomorrow. Everybody who scored against Celina returns next season. Kane Tinsley-White and Kaden Hooker, who both caught touchdown passes from Macon (who returns for a fourth season as starter in 2025), will be seniors and Slade Russell, who ran for two touchdowns, is only sophomore. Consider that West Plains has gone one round further than it did the year before in each of the last two seasons, and thoughts of reaching a state title game aren’t a pipe dream.
“Obviously we’re proud of what we’ve done these first three seasons,” Cummings said. “To be real honest, that was our goal all along. We want to be a program that’s known for winning championships. The pressure that comes with that, that’s the kind of pressure we want. I think that’s why the kids work and think the way that they do.
“I think this needs to be our standard every year. Not that you’re only going to judge yourself by wins and losses, but if you’re keeping score, why not play to win? That standard of playing in December should be the norm.”
Player of the Year
Reid Macon, West Plains, 6-foot, 170-pound, Jr.
By Lance Lahnert
Five games into the 2024 Texas high school football season the West Plains Wolves owned a pedestrian record of 2-3.
But Wolves didn’t flinch knowing the sub .500 record arrived against legit opponents and knowing No. 14 was their trigger man at quarterback.
“Reid Macon was a great leader for us on and off the field,” said West Plains head football coach Adam Cummings. “His competitiveness drive motivates those around him to be better. He was definitely a big reason for our overall success this season.”
Macon and the Wolves went on a remarkable run after the 2-3 start.
West Plains became the feel-good story of the 806 winning nine games in a row, reaching the Class 4A Division I state semifinals before falling in the final two minutes, 43-36, to eventual state champion Celina.
Macon is a junior who has started 40 of West Plains 41 career games since the school opened in 2022.
He was sensational throughout the 2024 season throwing for 3,528 yards, tossing 36 touchdowns, throwing a mere five interceptions (none of those picks over the final 10 games), along with adding a running game to his repertoire this year averaging 5.7 yards per carry finishing with 576 yards and 15 touchdowns.
In a year where the Texas Panhandle saw an overwhelming array of talent on the football field – especially at quarterback – Macon’s impressive season shines brightest, and he is named the 2024 Press Pass Sports Offensive Player of the Year.
Cummings sees daily the work Macon puts in to play at such a high-level game-in and game-out.
“There’s really nothing Reid can’t do as a quarterback,” Cummings said. “His ability to identify and dissect defenses is second to none. He can make every throw and he has the ability to run the ball and extend plays making him a special player.”
The Wolves scored 42 or more points in every one of their final 10 games. Coach Cummings said one reason the offense experienced success was Macon taking his game up a notch from his sophomore playing days.
“Reid was able to elevate his game this year because of his work ethic and his commitment to doing things right,” Cummings said. “He watches more film and studies the game more than any player I’ve ever coached. That, coupled with his relentless effort to fine tune his craft of playing the quarterback position, have really taken his game to another level.”
No doubt, West Plains kept scoreboard operators busy on Friday nights. Macon said the credit goes to the offensive line in front of him.
“The reason for the scoring, honestly, was the battle from the front five or six consistently,” said Macon, who has thrown for 9,107 career yards and 90 touchdowns. “Them winning in the trenches gave so many opportunities for running lanes, short 2nd downs and great pockets for passes. And then it was just trusting each other, whether that be me trusting the O-Line or skill guys, we just trusted each other. And then don’t forget the coaching staff trusting in the players executing the game plan and then the players trusting the coaches to put us in good positions to score and make plays.”
Macon said his personal favorite moment in the sun of the 2024 season was the Wolves’ 42-35 state quarterfinal win over heavily favored and tradition-rich Stephenville.
“The highlight of my year was beating Stephenville because there were so many people that counted us out,” said Macon, owner of a 30-10 career record as a starter. “And to prove all the doubters wrong gave me confidence in my teammates that we can go all the way. And honestly, the bond we made with each other made every day at practice enjoyable. The coaches are loving and caring for each of us and make me want to play the game more.”
Yes, the 2024 season was one for the record books at West Plains and certainly Macon will never forget.
“This was a special year for sure,” Macon said. “There were so many people who didn’t think we would get out of district and to be one of the four teams left in the state to be playing in December is special. To be one game away from every high school player’s dream is something to remember. It’s a memory that will never be forgotten and to share that with my brothers, and coaches, makes it even better. The team dinners and early mornings brings each of us closer together, we were all committed, and we played for each other. We wanted each other’s success instead of individual stats. The adversity we faced we took it on as a team and it helped us continue to strive.
“Coach Cummings is a man who built this program from the ground up and he builds young men instead of football players. He uses the game to shape us … 1% better every day was the motto from the beginning and everyone bought into that.”
Offensive Player of the Year
Armando Lujan, Sunray, 6-0, 180-pound, Sr.
By Kale Steed
To have the high school career that Armando Lujan has had is truly special and one that needs to be embraced by the Texas Panhandle for years to come.
Especially when Lujan was never supposed to be a quarterback in the first place.
Coming up through junior high and into high school it looked like Lujan was going to be a running back. However, halfway into his freshman year he took the reigns as Sunray’s triggerman and the rest is history.
“There is a lot that goes into Armando’s story,” Sunray head coach Wes Boatmun said. “He is proof to not let anyone tell you what you have to be, and a dream can come true. He always had a vision for himself. He fought for himself and earned his way as the quarterback. Armando is a lesson that there isn’t anything you can’t do. He is an incredible talent that made Sunray relevant again and brought electricity to the community.”
Lujan earns his third straight Press Pass Sports Offensive Player of the Year fresh off the heels of a record-breaking season as well as a historic career.
Entering his senior year, Lujan was chasing Booker’s Hunter Lile (14,408) for the state’s UIL all-time passing record. Lujan achieved that record in his final start against Post during the third round of the Class 2A Division I playoffs.
In 50 career starts, the quiet and humble Lujan let his arm do the talking when it was all said and done passing for a new state record of 14,600 yards. Not only does Lujan leave with that new state mark, but he also holds new records across Texas for career touchdowns with 231 and is tied for first in completions with 1,047.
“The thing that separates Armando is his ability to make the hard throws,” Boatmun said. “I love that about him. He didn’t make a lot of easy throws. He loved to take his shot because he could read a defense so well. His ability to put the ball where he wanted is rare.”
Lujan is also responsible for leading the Bobcats to 24 wins including six playoff victories the past two years. He helped Sunray to a district championship this past season and finished his senior season going a remarkable 251-of-384 for 3,463 yards with 34 passing touchdowns. On top of those numbers, Lujan rushed for 526 yards on 85 carries with another 13 TDs.
For Boatmun, the stats Lujan is leaving behind is always great but it’s his legacy that the next generation sees that’s more important.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about Armando and this group of seniors,” Boatmun said. “What they did for the community is something they can all be proud of. They set a standard for the guys coming up to fill their shoes. Let’s see if the next Sunray kid will see what Armando did and what his teammates did and want to carry on what they are leaving behind.”
Defensive Player of the Year
Wyatt Davis, Canadian, 6-foot, 190-pound, Sr.
By Kale Steed
To go through everything Wyatt Davis went through during his senior football season isn’t something a lot of adults could handle let alone an 18-year-old kid, but Davis persevered through his faith, the support from his family, his friends and a statewide high school football community that all came together to show their encouragement.
Through everything he has endured, to the incredible season and career he has put together, there isn’t anyone more deserving of the 2024 Press Pass Defensive Player of the Year than the charismatic country boy Davis.
“Wyatt has had a heck of a career,” Canadian head football coach Andy Cavalier said. “He loves football, and we love coaching that guy. He always wants to get better and that’s such a joy to see. I can’t even picture us playing without him next year that’s for sure.”
Entering this season, it was business as usual for Davis. He was a team captain, Davis was leading the defense and made a name on offense while even playing a key role on special teams.
But midway through the year into October, Davis felt something was wrong. He was getting fatigued more often, he was dizzy on the field and his vision was fuzzy.
Knowing there was a problem, Davis’ family had him checked into the hospital where he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis disease.
With everything hitting him at once and this shocking news of this treatable yet uncurable disease, most athletes would have called it a career.
Not Davis.
Davis was in the hospital from Monday through Wednesday but got out in time and was cleared by the doctors to play against Friona on that Friday Oct. 18.
Davis made 13 tackles against the Chieftains despite not practicing and spending the entire week getting treatments. From there, he and his family have educated themselves and taken the proper steps to treating his disease, but never did it cross Davis’ mind to hang up the pads.
“It was an overwhelming feeling,” Davis said. “One minute you’re a normal teenager and the next you are in the hospital and doctors are telling you that you have a disease. My vision was the problem more than anything. I got some treatments and then I just focused on how to help my team. I wasn’t going to stop playing football and playing with my teammates. It’s been challenging learning how to live with this but we’re learning.”
To see the support from an entire state was also overwhelming for Davis.
“I couldn’t believe all the support I had,” Davis. “Not only were my coaches and teammates there for me, but I was getting phone calls from coaches and players from across the state. Even country music singer Clay Walker reached out to me. It was just amazing to see the support and I can’t say thank you enough.”
Cavalier echoed Davis’ comments.
“Facing what he faced had to weigh heavily on him,” Cavalier said. “But Wyatt handled it like a champion. What I love to see is what it’s like to really love somebody. We are all in Wyatt’s corner and this great game has brought a lot of people together across this state to support a tremendous young man.”
And oh, by the way, on top of everything said Davis earned this achievement for being one heck of a football player. Davis ended his senior season with a team-leading 185 tackles, 31 tackles for a loss and six sacks.
For his career, Davis started 53 games for traditional power Canadian and will be one of the best to wear a Wildcat uniform ending his stellar career with an eye-popping 648 tackles, 119 of those for loss and 16 sacks.
“Coming into high school I didn’t know what my specialty was going to be,” Davis said. “But after my freshman year, I could tell defense is where I loved to play. Playing at Canadian proved me some special opportunities. I got to play on some very special teams, we played in a lot of playoff games, and I made a lot of lifelong friends. I was very fortunate to be a Wildcat.”
Utility Player of the Year
Broxton Robinson, Panhandle, 6-1, 185-pound, Jr.
After making a huge impression taking over at quarterback as a sophomore, Robinson proved equally capable of carrying a heavy load as a junior. Robinson was named the Press Pass Sports Newcomer of the Year in 2023 and showed that was no fluke in 2024.
Robinson was a dual threat offensively for the Panthers, completing 110-of-182 passes for 2,090 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also led Panhandle in rushing with 1,214 yards and 23 touchdowns. At inside linebacker, Robinson proved equally tough, making 93 tackles while also recording an interception.
– Lee Passmore
Newcomer of the Year
Slayden Dickinson, Canadian, 5-11, 160-pound, Jr.
Dickinson exploded on the scene in a hurry in 2024 putting his name on the map as one of the top running backs in the Texas Panhandle. From not many defensive coaches knowing his name as a sophomore, to becoming the Wildcats most dangerous weapon on offense as a junior, Dickinson made life miserable for defenses.
With Dickinson becoming the go-to weapon on offense Canadian was once again able to secure a district championship and advance to the UIL state quarterfinals for the 12th time in 13 years. Dickinson ended his dream season piling up 1,629 yards on 192 carries with a team-best 20 touchdowns.
– Kale Steed
Fighting Heart Award
Kyler Read, Dalhart, 6-2, 220-pound, Sr.
It wasn’t the ideal season that Read had envisioned entering his senior year. Dalhart’s heart and soul as well as team leader started the first two games on pace for an incredible run individually and as a team. However, Read suffered a severe leg injury in only the second game of 2024 putting the hault on a stellar high school football career.
Playing for their injured teammate, the Golden Wolves stepped up as a unit winning eight games while making a run to the second round of the playoffs with Read being the best teammate he could from the sideline. Read worked hard to get back to see limited action but never did make a full recovery. In the two games the quarterback did play in, Read was masterful combining for 580 yards passing, 229 yards rushing with eight touchdowns. For his stellar career, the three-year starter totaled 4,732 yards passing, 2,473 yards rushing with 86 total touchdowns.
– Kale Steed